Oil burner



`lan. 19, 1937.. H E, WOOLERY 2,068,216

` x 011.. BURNER Filed oct. 31, 1954 9 Inventor: w Hor-ace E. waaier-aj.

g' Bam Jan. 19, 1937. H. E. wooLEY OIL BURNER Filed Oct. 31, 1934 F1; gf?. il.: 'ill' 36 w 4. 6 9 3 g i@ F M Inventor-r Horace E. o Ler-U, B5; ttorney.

Patented Jan. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 31,

10 Claims.

This invention relates toy oil burners for furnaces and boilers and the primary object is to provide a kcomparatively simple, eicient, and practical burner unit structure that embodies several features and advantages over prior constructions of burners that have come to my attention and knowledge. As an essential characteristic and feature of my invention I employ superheated steam to create and effect delivery of the oil spray into the combustion chamber, and in turn utilize the created heat producing flame from the burner nozzle to develop the high temperature and pressure of steam required in the proper functioning of the unit. The particular arrangement vof cooperating parts and features which I have designed will be more fully disclosed and described in the courseof the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and in which- Fig. l is a diametrical sectional elevation through my burner unit rand a portion of the adjacent furnace or boiler wall with which it is operatively associated.

Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the burner as shown in Fig. 1, but on a reduced scale and with a portion broken away for purpose of illustration.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional detail elevation on the line 3-3 in Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section on the line 4-4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an end View of the inner oil discharge nozzle as seen when removed from the main fuel spray nozzle or injector.

Fig. 7 is an end View of the steam control stem removed from the injector.

Referring to the drawings more particularly and by reference characters, 8 designates the front wall of the furnace or boiler to be heated, said wall having an opening 9 through which the flame is to be projected from the burner and into furnace chamber It which is shown as flame and heat insulated as b-y lining II.

Rigidly secured, as by vbolts I2, to the furnace wall, and in axial alignment with the opening 9, is a generally cylindrical burner housing I3 having a forwardly tapering extension I4. The members i3 and I4 are lined, as at I5, with heat resistant material, and this lining defines what may generally be designated as the combustion chamber .of the burner, said chamber opening 1934, Serial No. 750,833

intothe furnace, at its rear, while the front end is open to the atmosphere as shown in Fig. 1.

The lining I5 within `the housing I3 is provided with an annular channel or groove within which is arranged a hollow, metal, steam ring 5 I6 supplied with water by a pipe I1 connected to a suitable supply vand having necessary control valve provisions. At an upper point the steam ring I6 has an outlet pipe I8 which extends forwardly and down to an injector unit A. The l0 burner .fuel oil supply is preferably admitted by pipe i9 `(Fig. 1) to a chamber 20 having a liquid level control float 2I and valve 22. From the chamber 20, or other suitable source, the fuel is conducted .by pipe 23 to the injector unit A.

The unit A, as shown in Fig. 5,. comprises a shallow end chamber 24 containing a bri-metal thermostatic disc or element 25, the outer periphery of which is fixed with respect to the chamber, while the .axially movable central portion is secured, as by screw 26, to a stem 21, an enlarged end port-ion of which is slidable in a sleeve 28, in turn threaded into a hub portion 29 o-f the chamber 24. 'I'he pipe I8 screws into a collar 30 which is clamped between the hub 29 and a shoulder 3| of the sleeve 28. The collar 30 has an inner annular passage 32 into which steam is discharged from the pipe I8, and the sleeve 28 has perforations 33 through which steam may pass from the collar passage 32 to the space 34 between the inner surface of the sleeve and the smaller end portion of the stem 21. The stem 21 is preferably provided with a few small circumferentially spaced lugs 35 to maintain the proper azxial position of the stem head 36 within vthe sleeve. The stem head 36 has its forward face tapered at an angle corresponding to the conical formation of the adjacent head 31 of the sleeve '28; and said stem head face, as vshown `in Fig. '7, has a series of non-radial .grooves 38 through which the steam may pass inwardly, under certain circumstances, and be given a rotary movement before and as it passes out through the central escape outlet 39 in the sleeve head 31. The head 31, as shown 45 particularly in Fig. 6, is also provided with nonradial grooves 4U for the passage of the fuel oil to be mixed with the steam. These grooves 4B establish passages from an annular groove 4I in the nozzle head 4,2 and to the nozzle opening 43, the passage 4I being supplied from the pipe 23 connected to `the nozzle as shown. It will be understood that as `the steam and oil sprays mix in the opening 43 they will be under spinning or 55 whirling action imparted by the directional arrangement of the grooves 38 and 40.

For preheating and ignition purposes I provide a gas supply pipe 44, having a lateral extension 45 terminating in pilots 46 adjacent a gas burner 4l adapted to preneat the steam ring I 6. The supply pipe 44, as shown, extends up at one side of the burner housing I4 and thence over to a control unit B. From this unit a pipe 48 extends down to supply the burner 4l. In the pipe 44, intermediate the lateral 45 and unit B, I provide a branch pipe 49 to supply a pilot 50 for the main burner flame, this pilot being arranged in the housing wall and preferably protected against violent drafts by a baflie plate 5I.

The unit B, which connects pipes 44 and 48, comprises a coupler casing 52 having a valve head 53 for opening and closing a port leading to one of the pipes, and this head is on one end of a stem 54 which is slidable in and extends through a fitting 55. Adjustably secured upon the outer end of the stem 54 is a small block 56 having a recess for engagement by a plate 51 mounted on the free or movable end of a strip of temperature responsive bi-metal 58. This strip 58 is anchored, at its opposite end, by a bolt 59 to a bracket S0, and is disposed parallel with and in proximity to the steam pipe I8 so as to be influenced by the temperature thereof. The strip 58 is so formed that when cool it will rest in the position shown in Fig. 2, at which time the valve 53 will be open as shown in Fig. 4; but when the stripbecomes heated toa certain temperature it will move the stem 54 inwardly tol close the valve. To effect a more positive and snap action to the valve I provide a horse shoe magnet 6l for cooperation with the valve control plate 5?, so that when the spring pressure of the strip 58, holding the valve open, is sufficiently released, in response to the application of heat, then the magnet will become operative to close the valve quickly. On the other hand, when the strip 58 cools it will regain sufficient resiliency to overcome the magnetic attraction, thus quickly opening the valve. 'I'he magnet may be mounted on a frame member 62 which also serves to connect the parts B, 60, and I8 rigidly with respect to each other.

When the apparatus is in use the pilot lights 46 and 50 are of course burning at all times, but the burner proper will function intermittent- 1y and only when there is a call for heat either by thermostatic control or in response to manual starting.

When the burner is functioning the steam pipe I8 becomes very warm or hot, and in so doing influences the thermostatic strip 58 to close the valve unit B so that no gas will flow through the pipe 48 to the burner 41, and this condition will normally be maintained as long as the burner is functioning. When the automatic control mechanism responds to the desired temperature condition, however, the thermostat indicated at 63 in Fig. 1 operates through circuit wires 64 to close a magnetic valve designated generally by the numeral 65 in the water pipe I'I, so as to shut off the supply of water toI the steam ring I6; and when this is done the water remaining in the steam ring will soon be dissipated, and when this occurs the steam pressure is immediately relieved and the flow of steam to the injector A stops. It is also desirable when stopping the burner to positively shut off the supply of fuel oil to the injector, and this is done by a magnetic valve 66 which is inserted in the pipe 23 and is connected by circuit wires 61 tothe circuit 64.

It may here be explained that when the steamV supply stops the normal fuel supply will also be shut off inasmuch as it is the steam pressure Which draws the fuel from the tank 20 up through the pipe 23 to the injector. But by providing the magnetic valve 66 the fuel supply is stopped simultaneously with the sup-ply of water to the steam ring, and consequently there will be no tendency on the part of the steam last generated to continue the fuel suction operation and thereby result in a gradually dying llame.

With the burner out the parts will gradually cool, and the valve unit B will open under the action of the strip of bi-metal 58 so as to reignite the gas burner 41, leaving the latter to burn While the burner proper is inactive. It may here be noted that the tension of the thermal strip 58 may be regulated by a pair of adjusting screws 68 secured in the bracket member 6U. When the thermostat 63 again calls for heat it will operate through the circuits 64 and 61 to open the Water Valve 65 and the fuel valve 66. When this occurs the water fed into the steam ring I6 turns to steam, and this steam is discharged through the pipe I8 to the injector unit A. As the temperature of the pipe I8 is raised the valve unit B will close to extinguish the burner 4l as previously described. As the steam is forced through the pipe I8 to the unit A it passes through the passages 32 and 33, and annular space 34 to the head 36 of the stem 21, this head now being held up tightly against the nozzle 3l by the thermal disc 25. As the steam is generated, however, it is projected through the grooves 38 of the head 3S and into the nozzle opening 39 with a whirling motion, and from the opening 39 passes through the opening 43 to create a suction therein. This suction is transmitted through the pipe 23 and the valve 66 which is now open, to the float chamber 20, and pulls the fuel up through the pipe 23 and through the annular chamber 4I and grooves 4U to the opening 43. As the fuel oil escapes through the grooves 40 it also is given a twisting or whirling motion, and mixes with the steam to be broken up thereby and injected into the housing I4 in a highly atomized whirling spray. The fuel spray, because of such whirling action, is thrown out violently in a relatively wide conical form so that when ignited by the pilot light 50 will produce a conical flame which will be applied directly to the steam ring I6, in the direction as indicated by dotted lines X, X in Fig. 1, thus greatly increasing the temperature of the latter.

As the steam ring is thus intensely heated it superheats the steam, already being generated, to a temperature of approximately 1000 F. or more, with a result that the superheated steam thus produced is forced through the injector at a very high temperature and under a high pressure, which temperature and pressure operates in turn to thoroughly break up and atomize the oil so that it will burn with a high degree of efficiency.

As the operation now continues the unit A becomes heated by the steam, causing the thermal disc 25 to pull the stem 2'I back or to the left, as shown in Fig. 5, and this action in turn spaces the head 35 from the nozzle 37 to such an extent that the whirling action caused by the grooves 38 is less effective and the jet of steam passing from the injector does so in a considerably narrower stream. The fuel and steam spray thereafter created, While still having a generally conical formation, is much more elongated, and as the axis of the injector is in open alignment with it willproject the flame entirely through the axially aligned openings in the members I5, I6, 9, and Il, and spread into a hot flame only after it reaches the combustion chamber I0 of the furnace or boiler. This change in flame formation not only directs the llame through the burner into the boiler, but also by being more tapered in form, as directionally indicated by dotted lines Y, Y in Fig. 1, does not strike directly upon the steam ring I6 so as to injure it by prolonged direct application of intense heat, but passes centrally through it while still heating it to a temperature amply sui'cient for the purpose of creating a continuous supply of superheated steam. As long as the burner continues to function in this, its normal manner, the disc 25 will hold the stem 21 out of contact with the nozzle head 31; but as soon as the room or boiler temperature has been increased to a point where the fuel and Water supplies are shut off so that the burner will begin to cool, then the disc 25 will again force the head 36 into contact with the nozzle so that when the burner is again started a relatively Wide flame cone will again be available to directly heat the steam ring I6 during the initial burning period.

The fuel pipe I9 to the float chamber 20 is provided with a valve 69, and the gas pipe 4Q is provided with a valve 'Ill by which the gas and fuel supplies may be manually turned off when the burner is not to be used for any length of time. The housing I3 is provided with a vent II to permit gases to escape from the burner lil as such gases travel about the outer periphery of the steam ring I6 to the upper end of the casing I3.

It is understood that suitable modications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. An oil burner comprising a housing, a steam generator disposed within the housing and having an opening for passage of a constricted burner flame therethrough, a fuel oil injector at one end of the housing for producing an oil spray which upon combustion will produce a flame for impingement against the generator, said injector communicating with the generator to receive steam under high pressure therefrom to atomize the oil, and means for constricting the oil spray so that the llame thereof will be diverted from direct contact with the generator and pass through the said opening therein.

2. In an oil burner, a housing, an injector connected with an oil supply and directing an oil spray into and through the housing for combustion therein, a steam generator disposed within the housing so as to be exposed to the products of combustion with the flame impinging directly on the generator and communicating with the injector to deliver steam thereto, said generator having an opening for the passage therethrough of a flame resulting from the combustion of said spray from the injector when the spray is constricted, and means for adjusting the injector to constrict the oil spray so that the flame of the latter will pass through said generator opening without directly impinging upon the generator proper.

3. In an oil burner, a housing, an injector connected with an oil supply and directing a fuel spray into and through the housing for combustion therein, a steam generator disposed within the housing so as to be exposed to the products of combustion with the flame impinging directly on the generator and communicating with the injector to deliver steam thereto, said generator having an opening for the passage therethrougl of a flame resulting from the combustion of said fuel spray from the injector When 'the spray is constricted, and thermostatically controlled means for adjusting the injector to constrict the fuel spray so that the llame of the latter will pass through said generator opening without directly impinging upon the generator proper.

4. In an oil burner, the combination including an injector connected With an oil supply and producing a substantially conical fuel spray for combustion during an initial burning period, a steam generator communicating with the injector to supply steam under pressure thereto, said generator being substantially ring shaped and disposed with its axis in alignment with the injector whereby the flame of said conical fuel spray will annularly impinge directly upon the ring, and means rendered operative upon termination of such initial burning period for automatically adjusting the injector to narrow the spray whereby the flame thereof will pass through the center opening of the generator and Without impinging directly upon the generator.

5. An oil burner comprising a housing, an injector for directing atomized oil into ythe housing, an oil supply conduit and a steam supply conduit connected to the injector, a generator in the housing connected with the steam supply conduit, said injector having means for intermixing the oil and steam and projecting the resultant mixture in a relatively broad conical spray impinging on the generator, and thermostatically operated means responsive to the temperature of the steam conducted to the injector for radially eonstricting said spray, after a predetermined steam pressure has been generated in the generator, whereby the spray will pass adjacent to and not impinge directly on the generator.

6. An oil burner comprising a housing, an injector utilizing steam under pressure for directing atomized oil into the housing, an oil supply conduit and a steam supply conduit connected to the injector, a generator connected with the steam supply conduit for supplying steam thereto, said injector having means for intermixing the oil and steam and projecting the resultant mixture in a relatively broad conical spray impinging on the generator until a predetermined steam pressure is generated therein, and thermostatically operated means for adjusting the injector to radially constrict the spray whereby it will pass adjacent to but will not impinge directly on the generator.

'7. An oil burner comprising a housing, an injector utilizing steam under pressure for directing atomized oil into the housing, an oil supply conduit and a steam supply conduit connected to the injector, a generator connected to the steam supply conduit for supplying steam thereto, said injector having means for intermixing the oil and steam and projecting the resultant mixture in a relatively broad conical spray impinging on the generator to create steam pressure therein, and thermostatically operated means for adjusting the injector to radially constrict said Spray, after such steam pressure has been generated therein,

to deflect the spray from direct impingement on 75 the generator, said injector having means for imparting a whirling action to the spray.

8. In an oil burner, the combination including an injector connected with an oil supply and producing a steam atomized substantially conical oil spray for combustion, a steam generator communicating with the injector to supply steam under pressure thereto, said generator being substantially ring shaped and disposed with the axis of its opening in alignment with the injector s that the ame of said conical oil spray will impinge directly upon the ring, and means rendered operative upon the generation of a predetermined steam pressure in the generator for adjusting the injector to narrow the spray whereby the flame thereof will pass through the center opening of the generator and without impinging directly' upon the generator, said injector having means imparting a whirling action to the conical oil spray about its own axis.

9. An oil burner comprising a tubular housing communicating at one end with a combustion chamber and having its other end, opposite the chamber, open, an oil injector at the open end of the housing and having a nozzle directed thereinto utilizing steam under pressure for atomizing the oil and for projecting the same in a spread conical spray for combustion within the housing and combustion chamber, oil supply means for the injector, steam supply means for the injector including a steam generating ring disposed Within the housing with its center opening in alignment with the injector whereby the flame of said spread conical spray may impinge annularly upon the steam generating ring, and means for adjusting the injector to constrict the spread formation of said conical spray so that the flame thereof will pass in relatively narrower form through said steam generating ring opening to the combustion chamber.

10. In an oil burner, a fuel spray injector adjustable to produce relatively wide and constricted fuel sprays, a hollow ring shaped steam lgenerator spaced forwardly from, the injector and with its center opening in alignment with the axis of the injector whereby the fuel spray from the latter may when of constricted form pass through such opening and whereby the relatively Wider spray will directly impinge on the generator, means for transmitting steam under pressure from the generator to the injector to operate the latter, and means for eifecting said adjustments of the injector.

HORACE E. WOOLERY. 

